Methods and systems for steganographic processing

Abstract

Electronic content data that is copied without authorization can be traced back to its source using steganographically encoded information. Such arrangements are useful, e.g., where electronic content is rendered to an audience—one of whom may be making an illicit recording. In such embodiments, the encoding may be performed as the content is made available to the consumer, e.g., allowing data identifying time and place of rendering to be encoded. The specification details a variety of other steganographic techniques and applications, including conveying different messages using different parts of an image, and conveying record control information with electronic content.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA[0001]This application is a division of application Ser. No. 10 / 358,447, filed Feb. 4, 2003 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,744,907), which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09 / 618,779, filed Jul. 17, 2000 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,535,618), which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09 / 150,147, filed Sep. 9, 1998 (now abandoned), which is a division of application Ser. No. 08 / 438,159, filed May 8, 1995 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,481), which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08 / 327,426, filed Oct. 21, 1994 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,768,426). The software appendices published with U.S. Pat. No. 5,768,426 are incorporated herein by reference.[0002]This application has essentially the same specification as application Ser. No. 08 / 327,426.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0003]The present invention relates to methods and systems employing steganographic processing.BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION[0004]“I would never put it in the power of any printer or...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Since time immemorial, unauthorized use and outright piracy of proprietary source material has been a source of lost revenue, confusion, and artistic corruption.

These historical problems have been compounded by the advent of digital technology.

Furthermore, there is no simple means of tracing a path to an original purchaser of the material, something which can be valuable in tracing where a possible “leak” of the material first occurred.

This technique, however, requires that both the original and later descrambled signals never leave closed and controlled networks, lest they be intercepted and recorded.

Furthermore, this arrangement is of little use in the broad field of mass marketing audio and visual material, where even a few dollars extra cost causes a major reduction in market, and where the signal must eventually be descra...

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